Literacy, Education, and the Women's Question in Nigeria

Efforts for the promotion of literacy and education in Nigeria from the early 1940s to the present day have been plagued by constraints and failures. Right from the colonial era to the present day these initiatives include successes and failures and have been well documented. The first experimental literacy classes were initiated in 1946 during the tenure of the first Mass Education Officer A. J. Carpenter through the establishment of the National Commission for Mass Literacy in 1990. Nonetheless the goal of eradicating adult illiteracy has remained elusive. Although there is no confirmed statistical data on the subject there are between 50-60 million adults who are absolutely illiterate in Nigeria. As far back as 1990 UNESCO ranked Nigeria fifth among countries with the largest population of illiterates. The majority of this illiterate population are rural dwellers and women (UNESCO 1990). Even though the socioeconomic and political role of women in development is well-known and despite the significance of literacy and education for development Nigerian women have been neglected in literacy efforts over the years. In spelling out the aim of adult education in 1981 the National Policy on Education (NPE) made no special reference to women. (authors)

Literacy · Literacy Education · Pedagogy · Political science · Sociology · African Education and Politics · Gender Studies

• La question du genre en formation des adultes

  Edmée Ollagnier•Savoirs•2010

  Add to list